I followed Emmett's gigantic Jeep to the Cullen residence- a place I hadn't seen in almost 15 years. Nerves, nerves, nerves. I had always had an overactive mind and over thought things constantly, which did not help me. Would I be welcome? I knew that I would be greeted cordially, being Charlie's daughter and all, but would they want me there? Would Esme recognize me? Who would be there? I interrupted my own train of thought, taking a deep breath and trying to focus on my driving. At least I knew who didn't want me there. Edward Cullen. He looked seriously disturbed by the idea of me in his home. The thought make me smile with glee. I do love a good tease.
We finally pulled up to the gates- and the nerves hit again, but this time I thought about meeting the kind Carlisle and his compassionate Esme again, they had been like my extra set of parents and I looked forward to surprising them. I knew Esme worried when I pulled away after mom's death, so she would be pleasantly surprised... I hoped.
Shutting of my car, mentally preparing myself, I stepped out of my car and got promptly swung over the shoulder of one Emmett Cullen.
"For fucks sake Emmett, what do you think you're doing?! Let me down!" I could see Edward's grin as he walked past us- asshole.
"Nope, you brought this upon yourself Sugar."
"How exactly did I bring this situation on myself?" I said with a sarcastic tone while I gesticulated over my body currently slung over the shoulder of his.
"Why, you were to slow- I would have died of hunger before we even made it up the front stairs."
"Emmett Cullen I am not far away from getting completely pissed of- just thought you would want a warning." I would not make a fool of myself unwillingly.
"Hmpf, good to know Sugar." He harrumphed and sounded like he didn't believe me. Bloody fool.
By now we were through the door and Emmett bellowed a loud "We're home Ma! And I brought you a gift!" I could hear his smirk.
Right that's it, I had officially had enough. I tensed my muscles, putting my hands on Emmett's lower back. I could see a perfect wall in the corner of my eye. I pinched and twisted the skin on the spots just below where his shirt stopped with the help of my nails, making Emmett yelp loudly and let go of my legs to rub at the spots. I extended my legs that had been curled upwards and connected with the wall- pushing off and basically catapulting over Emmett's shoulder, pushing him forwards with the force and doing a weird kind of somersault landing myself on my bended knees behind him. I turned around, slapping him in the back of his head and strolled passed him. What I had not seen however was the open doorway right next to the wall I had catapulted myself off. Or the faces of the entire Cullen family standing inside said room, watching my escape.
Whoops.
I looked into the teary face of Esme, the proud face of Carlisle, the impressed one of Jasper, the surprised one of Alice, the grumpy one of Edward and even the astonished one of Rose, what was she doing here?
Emmett of some mysterious reason limped in to the room after me grumbling "For shit's sake Bella, that hurt like a fucker." I glanced back.
"I gave you a warning, you should have listened and why are you limping? I pinched your back, I didn't punch your kneecaps in."
My attention returned to the other persons in the room when I heard a low chuckling. I then got enveloped in a tight hug by one Esme Cullen- Emmett got it from someone.
"You look just like your mother child, I have missed having you around." Esme let me go and led me towards the others.
"Little Isabella Swan, now more the second half of La Sorte I gather?" The question came from the always curious Carlisle.
"Unofficial half actually, and only when called in as you might have noticed?" I said with a wink. "Do you have any idea where my father is lurking Carlisle? Mission or fishing?"
"I would think fishing dear." He looked amused at the thought that one of the most lethal persons he knew liked to sit and fish on his day of, but that was Charlie for you.
"So wait, Alice, Bella your boss is also Isabella Swan- the daughter of our in-house assassin?" Jasper sounded astounded and impressed, I would lie if I said that I wasn't flattered- I was. But I also remembered that I hadn't told neither Alice or Rose about the fact that I dabbled with murder. Alice would understand, but Rose she... She was one of my best friends and a complete badass and I hadn't told her. Shit. I focused on her.
"Rose..."
"Hi Bella." She didn't look mad, but she did look out of place and insecure, a expression that did not belong on one of the most confident women I know. I went to her, putting one of my arms around her shoulder and pointed at Emmett.
"Sooo I gather that he is the weightlifting knucklehead I've been hearing about?" Rose's gaze softened at the words and we both let out a soft laugh that turned into a gasping, breathtaking insanely well needed rolling around on the floor- types of laughter when we heard Emmett's offended response "Hey! Rose what have you been saying about me!?"
After gathering my wits I tried again "I guess I have some explaining to do?" Rose looked less antsy after our shared laugh and whispered "Next week- no club, movie and pizza and talk?" "It's a deal" I said relieved. Rose isn't pissed- hallelujah.
I turned back yet again and addressed everybody. "I'm sorry for the mayhem, It's just... it... It's been awhile." I felt quite shy at the intense scrutiny I received.
A tense "You should be." came from the one and only asshole in the room, Mr. Edward Cullen. I heard several gasps from the women in the room, while I saw the weird looks he received from the men. I had defenders on my side. If he expected any rebuttal from my side, he would be sorely disappointed. It would be disrespectful towards my hosts and it would give him more fuel to be an even bigger idiot. I also got interrupted by an eager Alice.
"Bella, did you get the text I sent an hour ago?" I remembered getting a text message when I was standing by the car with Edward. The memory gave me an involuntary shivers, damn him.
"Yeah, I got it but I was kind of busy so I haven't read it yet, why?"
"Oh, nothing much, just had a few ideas for the cake." She practically bounced up and down.
"Isn't that supposed to be my job?" I asked laughingly.
"Okay, right. Maybe you're right, but I'm so excited for everything!" She ended on a squeal.
What?